Setting device

ABSTRACT

A setting device, the preferred embodiment having, type printing wheels settable to different positions by electric pulses including a pulse producing device emitting pulses to a counting machine which emits a pulse to at least one of a plurality of solenoids, each one representing one order, and energizes the solenoids when the machine has received a pre-determined number of pulses from the pulse producing device, the number of pulses representing the symbols to be set. Each type printing wheel cooperates with one differential arrangement for each order which also includes one rotatable gear provided with teeth, one of which, via an intermediate coupling device, is engaged by the solenoid when energized, to be stopped in a position corresponding to the symbol to be set. Two driving rotatable gears of the differential arrangement rotate the type printing wheel and the rotatable gear provided with the teeth, respectively.

United States Patent Lindelow 1 June 27, 1972 [54] SETTING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Claes-Goran Lindelow, Stockholm, jggzfz gffiyz lggggz ai Sweden Attorney-Norman Friedman, Stephen E. Feldman, Arthur T. [73] Assignee; Svenska Dataregister AB Groeninger, M01118]. Pollack and Furgang [22] Filed; Sept. 24, 1970 57 ABSTRACT pp 75,010 A setting device, the preferred embodiment having, type printing wheels settable to different positions by electric pul- [30] Foreign Application Priority Dam ses including a pulse producing device emitting pulses to a counting machine which emits a pulse to at least one of a plu- Oct. 1, 1969 Sweden ..1 3486/69 rality of solenoids, each one representing one order, and energizes the solenoids when the machine has received a pre- [52] 11.8. CI. ..235/92 R, 101/95, 235/619 R, de e ned number of pulses from the pulse producing 235/92 C device, the-number of pulses representing the symbols to be [51] Int. Cl. ..G06k 3/00 Each yp Priming wheel cooperates with one differential [58] Field of Search ..235/6l.9 R, 92 C, 92 V; arrangement each Order which includes one rotatable 10 9 C 95 9 101 gear provided with teeth, one of which, via an intermediate coupling device, is engaged by the solenoid when energized, to 56] References Cited be stopped in a position corresponding to the symbol to be set. Two driving rotatable gears of the differential arrangement UNITED STATES PATENTS rotate the type printing wheel and the rotatable gear provided with the teeth, respectively. 3,218,966 11/1965 Petrt ..101/95 3,416,151 12/1968 Adler ..235/61 .9 R 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJur-m 1972 3,673 388 SHEEI 10F 2 Fig. 1

SETTING DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for setting symbol carrying means, such as type wheels, by means of electrical pulses. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device, which, when actuated by electrical pulses from a counting machine such as an electronic cash register, an electronic calculator, a computer or similar device, sets type wheels in corresponding positions, so that one or several data carrier with visually or mechanically readable data, are produced through later contact with the type wheels. Alternatively, instead of type wheels, other printing means (such as type bars) or visually readable symbol carrying means (such as indicators) can be controlled and set by the device embodying the present invention. Therefore, although the denomination type wheel isused in the preferred embodiment-any kind of symbol carrying means could be used.

Prior known device for converting electrical pulses into symbols on a data carrier consists of a cylindrical drum with rows and columns of symbols. One row with individually energizable print hammers (one for each column) is arranged along the drum. The drum is rotated at a constant velocity until a certain determined symbol on the drum'is positioned directly in front of one of the print hammers; this print hammer will then be activated by an electrical pulse in order to print the symbol represented by one or more of a plurality of electrical pulses, on the data carrier. The advantage with such a device is its high printing velocity. The disadvantages however, with the device is that the printing quality is poor as the printing is performed on the fly" and because complicated mechanical and electronical controlling devices are required for the hammers. Moreover, the possibility of printing the same symbols on a plurality of different data carriers, without using complicated mechanical mechanisms, is very small.

Another device for setting type wheels by means of electrical pulses includes a rack for each type wheel. Each rack, and thereby each type wheel, is kept in a O-position by a blocking device. When the blocking device is released, each rack is moved by springs (one for each rack) to rotate the type wheels to an end position. A number of solenoids are arranged along each rack, the number being equal to the number of positions to which each type wheel can be rotated. Before the blocking device is released, the solenoid of each rack which corresponds to the symbol to which the type wheel is to be rotated is activated, and thereafter, when the racks are released, a protrusion on each rack will hit the core on the activited solenoid whereby the corresponding rack and the type wheel with which it is in engagement are stopped in a position wherein the selected symbol is positioned directly opposite the data carrier. Thereafter, the data carrier is pressed towards the type wheels by a print hammer whereby the data carrier receives the data that was brought to the solenoids in the form of electrical signals. The advantages with this earlier known device are that all the type wheels are set essentially at the same time, and that, by using simple mechanisms, such as conventional gears and sets of type wheels, a plurality of difierent data carriers can be provided with the same data. A significant disadvantage is that the device requires springs to function. As it is well known, after the device has been used for some time, dirt and oil penetrate into the springs and into the supports of the means affected by the springs which can result in the racks being unable to move the type wheels to the proper determined positions. Furthermore, the springs can come loose from their holders or might get broken whereby they are no longer effective and operation ceases.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for setting symbol carrying means, such as type wheels, by means of electrical pulses the device, making it possible for these means to be set essentially at the same time and to remain in the set position during such a long period of time such that a printing device can produce precision printing on a data carrier, and that additional symbol carrying means can be coupled to the device by simple means, in

order to obtain printing on more than one data carrier, and that the setting of the symbol carrying means is compulsorily operated without using devices which work with friction means, springs and the like, and that the setting of each symbol carrying means is performed by driving from a common power source, which also is used for driving the print hammers, feeding of data carriers, etc.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a setting device which eliminates the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior devices.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention and a better understanding of its construction will be had from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the device along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

The means included in the device according to the present invention are arranged between two frames 2 and 4, fixed to a bottom plate-6. Frames 2 and 4, bottom plate 6 and the means between these constitute one unit which can easily be mounted to a data registering machine which emits data in the form of electrical pulses or it can be positioned completely independent and coupled to, for instance, a computer by electrical circuits. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the unit is intended to be connected to an electrical cash register through frame 4. Type wheels, generally designated 8, are positioned to the left of frame 2. Between type wheels 8, which are set to take up different positions by the means within the frames 2 and 4, and a generally visualized print hammer unit 10 which includes print hammers and mechanisms for activating these, is arranged a data carrier in the form of an audit strip 12 and an inked ribbon l4. Additional means for controlling and obtaining the printing sequence, as well as an eventual arrangement of a plurality of printing positions obtained by connecting additional sets of type wheels, via gears and type wheels 8 which are used in order to print audit strip, sales slip and the like have not been shown on the drawings as these means are conventional.

FIG. 1 shows three type wheels 8a, 8b, and 8c, which are intended to be set with the arrangement according to the present invention. Type wheel is attached to cylindrically formed shaft 16, which has its other end fixed to a gear 18. Type wheel 8b is attached to the cylindrically formed shaft 20, which has its other end fixed to 'gear 22. Type wheel 80 is attached to cylindrically formed shaft 24, which has its other end fixed to gear 26. The cylindrically formed shafts 16, 20 and 24 have different diameters and are, as is apparent from FIG. 2, concentrically supported and rotatable in relation to each other. A shaft 28 which is attached to frame 4 Supports cylindrically formed shaft 24 and thereby cylindrically formed shafts 20 and 16.

On a shaft 30 which is attached to frames 2 and 4 is an elongated, cylindrical tube 32 rotatably supported. Attached at one end of tube 32 is a part 34, which is provided with two rollers 36 and 38, which always contact one cam 40 and 42 respectively, and which cams are fixed on a main shaft 44, which is rotated by an electrical motor 46 attached to frame 4. Part 34 and a second part 48, which also is attached to tube 32, supports a shaft 50 on which a first group of three pairs of gears 52, 54, 56, S8, 60, and 62 are rotatably supported. The gears in each pair are fixed to each other and the three pairs are kept at predetermined distances from each other by means (not shown) on shaft 50. Rotatably supported on tube 32 are a second group of three gears 64, 66 and 68 and three transferring arms 70, 72 and 74 provided with circular gear paths (only 70a is shown). The second group of gears and the transferring arms constitute three pairs, 64 and 70; 66 and 72 and 68 and 74, kept at predetermined distances from each other by means (not shown) on tube 32. Each transferring arm 70, 72, and 74 is provided with an additional gear periphery (only 70b shown) which meshes with each gear 18, 22, and 26, respectively.

The cogs of each gear 52, 56, 60 always mesh with their respective circular cogged periphery (i.e. 70a), of each transferring arm 70, 72, 74, respectively, and each gear 54, 58, and 62 of the first group of gears always meshes with each gear 64, 66, and 68, of the second group of gears, respectively.

Each gear 64, 66, and 68 is provided with a cogged periphery (64a, 66a, and 68a) consisting of ten teeth. Three three-armed brackets 76, 78, and 80 are rotatably supported on a shaft 82 attached to frames 2 and 4. A cam 84, with a camtip 84a, on main shaft 44, affects a roller 36a, rotatably supported on a link 86, rotatably supported on a shaft 88 which is attached to frames 2 and 4. Link 86 at its other end is attached to a shaft 90 on which links 92 and 94 are rotatably supported. Links 92 and 94 are attached to a shaft 96 on which brackets 76, 78, and 80 are rotatably supported. Means for keeping links 86, 92, and 94 and shafts 90 and 96 in predetermined horizontal positions (referring to FIG. 1) are provided but these means have not been shown as they are not essential for the understanding of the invention.

Each bracket 76, 78, and 80 is pulled counter-clockwise in FIG. 2 by a spring (only spring 98 is shown) but prevented from meshing with the cogs periphery 64a, 66a, and 68a on gears 64, 66, and 68 with its left end cogged part (only 76a is shown) by downwards spring loaded cores 100a, 102a, and

104a in solenoids 100, 102, and 104, respectively. Solenoids 100, 102, 104 are arranged on an angular slide 106 by a screw joint, the slide 106 being attached to the frame 4 and supplied with current from the electronic cash register.

A shaft 108 attached to frames 2 and 4 works as a common home position stop for transferring arms 70, 72, 74 via protrusions 70c, 72c, and 740 on the same, and a shaft 1 attached to frames 2 and 4 works as a common home position 7 stop for gears 64, 66, and 68 via protrusions 64b, 66b, and 68b on the same.

A curved arm 34a on part 34 is provided with a screen pattern in the form of rectangular holes. A lamp 1 14 mounted on a holder 112, the holder 112 being attached to frame 2 and enclosed in a cap 116 of a non-light-permeable material, transmits light through a slot 1160 in cap 116 towards the screen pattern on arm 34a. The size of slot 1 16a is so chosen that only one of the rectangular holes can be illuminated. A photocell l 18 or a similar light sensitive means is arranged on the other side of arm 34a and receives light from lamp 114 when a rectangular hole in the screen pattern of the arm is positioned in the light path between the lamp and the photocell.

The mode of operation of the device will now be described. It is assumed herein that type wheels 8a, 8b and 8c are responsive to electrical pulses from three value positions (orders) in the electronic cash register, and will be set to take up positions which designate the digits 5, 2 and 7.

When the motor 46 is started, which is started by an impulse generated from the cash register, main shaft 44 is driven clockwise, whereby earns 40 and 42 affects rollers 36 and 38 in order to turn part 34 counter-clockwise around shaft 30. Counter-clockwise rotation of part 34 beings when main shaft 44 has been rotated to a position about 125 from its home position. At 125 rotation of the main shaft, which is shown in the figures, solenoid cores 100a, 102a, and 104a are positioned in their lower, unenergized positions and prevent brackets 76, 78, and 80 from being pivoted counter-clockwise by the action of springs 98. Brackets 76, 78, and 80, when they are in this position (at A), prevent transferring arms 70, 72, and 74 from being rotated clockwise. Thus, when part 34 is rotated counter-clockwise, gears 54, 58, 62 and 52, 56, 60 will be rotated counter-clockwise around the center of shaft 30 whereby the cogs of gears 54, 58, and 62 which mesh with the teeth of gears 64, 66, and 68, respectively and the teeth of gears 52, 56, 60 which mesh with the cogged peripheries 70a, 72a, and 74a of transferring arms 70, 72, and 74 respectively strive to rotate gears 64, 66, and 68 counter-clockwise and to rotate transferring arms 70, 72, and 74 clockwise around tube 32. However, as transferring arms 70, 72, and 74 cannot be rotated clockwise (and not even counter-clockwise depending on shaft 108) since brackets 76, 78, and 80 (at A) prevent these rotations gears 52,56, and 60 will roll on their associated cogged peripheries (70a), whereby gears 54, 58, and 62 are rotated a little bit counter-clockwise around the center of shaft 50 but are rotated a little bit further clockwise around the rolling point which is formed in each moment between a tooth/tooth space on each transferring arm 70, 72, and 74 and a tooth space/tooth on each gear 52, 56, and 60, which results in gears 64, 66, and 68 being rotated counter-clockwise around shaft 30.

When gear 66 in the intermediate order has been moved two steps counter-clockwise, whereby two teeth on its cogged periphery have passed below the cog-formed, lower end part of bracket 78 and whereby two holes in the screen pattern of arm 34a have moved through the light path between lamp 114 and photocell 1 18, which has caused the photocell to emit two pulses to the electronic cash register, a counter in the corresponding order will thereby overflow at the same time and generate a pulse which is sent to solenoid 102 whereby core 102a is pulled obliquely upwards and thereby releases bracket 78 for counter-clockwise movement around shaft 82. The duration of the pulse is so chosen that bracket 78 by a good margin of time by spring force will be able to pass below core 102a before the core is released for downwards movement in FIG. 2. The cog-formed lower end portion of bracket 78 is then moved into a tooth space between the second and the third tooth in cogged periphery 66a by assistance of the spring which acts upon bracket 78 whereby gear 66 is stopped in its counter-clockwise movement and transferring arm 72 is released for rotation around tube 32, which rotation is carried out clockwise as the teeth of gear 58 are rolling on the teeth of gear 66 which is now blocked and the rolling point between the teeth/tooth spaces of gear 58 and the tooth spaces/teeth 66 is constantly moved downwards in FIG. 2 (during continued rotation of path 34), whereby this point constitutes the center for counter-clockwise rotation of gear 56. As cogged periphery 72a of transferring arm 72 always gears into the teeth of gear 56, transferring arm 72 will be rotated clockwise around tube 32, and type wheel 8b, which is in engagement therewith via gear 22 and cylinder-formed shaft 20, will be rotated counter-clockwise until the mode of operation is finished. It is to be noted that during the counter-clockwise movement of bracket 78, 76, and 80, around shaft 82, the oblique surface (at A) on transfen'ing arm 72 (and 70, and 74) assists in moving bracket 78 (and 76, and downwards towards the cogged periphery 66a (and 64a, and 68a, respectively).

During continued counter-clockwise movement of part 34, gear 64, after the photocell has received five pulses, will be moved five tooth pitches before the counter in the next higher order in the cash register will overflow and transmit a pulse to solenoid which retracts core 100a and releases bracket 76 for gearing into the tooth space between the fifth and the sixth tooth in cogged periphery 64a. Transferring arm 70 will thereafter operate in the same way as previously described in connection with the operation of transferring arm 72 and will be rotated clockwise around tube 32 thereby rotating type wheel 8c counter-clockwise until the machine cycle is finished.

When the photocell has emitted seven pulses, solenoid 104 will be activated and bracket 80, gears 68, 60, and 62 and transferring arm 74 will operate in the same way as previously described in connection with the two other orders and transfer a movement to type wheel 80 which corresponds to the seven pulses emitted by photocell 1 18 to the cash register.

When main shaft 44 has been rotated about 230 whereby cams 40 and 42 have rotated part 34 to its counter-clockwise end position and whereby photocell 118 has emitted a total of ten pulses to the cash register, type wheels 8 have been set to the position corresponding to the set values in the counter of the cash register. Type wheel 8c, which has been rotated ten minus five steps, ie the difference between the number of steps in a complete machine cycle and the number of steps gear 64 was allowed to be rotated before bracket 76 stopped its continued movement, is thus set at the digit five, and type wheel 8b, which has been rotated ten minus two steps, is set at the digit two, as type wheel 8 has been rotated eight steps from the digit position 0, nine, eight, etc. towards the digit position one and not from the digit position one, two, three, etc. towards the digit position nine. Accordingly, type wheel 80 is set at digit seven, i.e. the type wheel has been rotated 10 minus seven steps, i.e. three steps from the position 0 over the positions nine and eight to the position seven.

After main shaft 44 has been rotated 230 the print hammers in print hammer unit 10 are moved towards type wheels 8 and prints the digits 5, 2 and 7 on ticket strip 12 and on other data carriers, if any, such as an audit stip. When main shaft 44 has been rotated 360 it has reached its home position and motor 46 has stopped. At a new machine cycle motor 46 will start again, by an impulse from the cash register, whereby, when main shaft 44 has been rotated between about 10 and 1 10, part 34 will be restored to its clockwise end position by cams 40 and 42. Part 34 thereby brings gears 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 which restore transferring arms 70, 72, 74 counterclockwise towards shaft 108 as gears 64, 66, and 68 move clockwise towards shaft 110 via their protrusions 64b, 66b, 68b. During the restoring of gears 64, 66, and 68 the cogged, lower end parts (only 76a is shown) are moved backwards over cogged peripheries 64a, 66a, and 68a of the gears. When main shaft 44 has been rotated about 123, cam tip 84a of cam 84 affects roller 86a on link 86, which via shafts 90 and 96 and links 92 and 94, and restores brackets 76, 78, and 80 to their clockwise home positions. When brackets 76, 78, and 80 are in their counter-clockwise activated position the parts of cores 100a, 102a, and 104a, which face the brackets, are springforced to bear against the bracket. When main shaft 44 has been rotated about 123 and brackets 76, 78, and 80 are rotated clockwise, cores 100a, 102a, and 1040 will spring over the brackets and take up a position directly to the left of these as shown in FIG. 2. When brackets 76, 78, 80 are restored, part 34 begins its counter-clockwise movement and the other means included in the device will be set in the manner described earlier during the remaining part of the machine cycle.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications and alternative implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true scope of the invention. For example, more or less than three type wheels with belonging means can be provided. The space within frames 2 and 4 shown in FIG. 1 permits the use of up to seven solenoids, gears, transferring arms, brackets, etc. to be conveniently arranged. Moreover, instead of 10 positions a larger number of positions for example 40, can be arranged on each type wheel; thus all the letters in the alphabet and the digits 09, and a few other signs, can be represented. in this case the cogged periphery on gears 64, 66, 68 must be provided with 40 teeth, the screen pattern in arm 340 must be provided with 40 holes, etc. The use of 40 different positions would be necessary when the device according to the present invention is connected, for instance to a data computer. The pulse-emitting means embodiment has been shown as a lamp-photocell but it is realized that any kind of pulse-emitting means, such as, for example, mechanically actuated contacts, can be used instead.

Accordingly, the invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for setting a symbol carrying means by means of electrical pulses comprising:

a counting means, which produces pulses a pulse-producing means which emits pulses to said counting means,

a plurality of actuating means which receive pulses emitted by the counting means, at least one pulse to each actuating means, each of a said actuating means representing one order and being activated by the pulses emitted by the counting means when it has received a pre-determined number of pulses from the pulse producing means, said number of pulses representing a symbol to be set,

a differential arrangement including a first driving, rotatable gear,

a first rotatable means which meshes with said first driving,

rotatable gear a symbol carrying means cooperating with said rotatable means, and carrying symbols thereon,

a second driving rotatable gear fastened to said first gear and being of a diameter different from that of said first gear,

a second rotatable means which meshes with said second driving rotatable gear,

blocking parts provided on said second rotatable means being of a number at least as large as a number of symbols on the symbol carrying means and,

wherein during a cycle of operation the two gears rotate on the circumferences of the two rotatable means and,

whereby when a receiving means in an order is not activated to prevent the first rotatable means from being rotated, the second gear carries the second rotatable means to rotate in one direction until the actuating means is activated whereby the second rotatable means is blocked against further rotation by the blocking parts so that the first gear causes the first rotatable means to rotate in the opposite direction and causes said means to set the symbol carrying means to a position corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses.

2. A device according to claim 1 in that:

the first and the second rotatable means of the differential arrangement are arranged for independent rotation in relation to each other on a common shaft.

3. A device according to claim 1 in that:

the gears are rotatably supported on an opaque part including a number of light-permeable parts, such as holes, and said opaque part being rotatable supported on a shaft and receiving a revoluting movement around the shaft when the gears roll on the circumferences of the rotatable means.

4. A device according to claim 1 in that:

the circumferences of the rotatable means are provided with teeth and that the gears permanently mesh with and' roll on said teeth.

5. A device according to claim 3 in that:

the opaque part is arranged for compulsory movement by a motor-driven shaft.

6. A device according to claim 1 in that:

the second rotatable means via its blocking parts and via preventing means which cooperates with these is arranged to be blocked against further movement when the actuating means is activated.

7. A device according to claim 5 in that:

means which cooperate with a motor-driven shaft once during each machine cycle and essentially at the same time are arranged to restore every preventing means to a position where they prevent the first rotatable means from being moved. 8. A device according to claim 1 in that: the actuating means comprises a solenoid. 

1. A device for setting a symbol carrying means by means of electrical pulses comprising: a counting means, which produces pulses a pulse-producing means which emits pulses to said counting means, a plurality of actuating means which receive pulses emitted by the counting means, at least one pulse to each actuating means, each of a said actuating means representing one order and being activated by the pulses emitted by the counting means when it has received a pre-determined number of pulses from the pulse producing means, said number of pulses representing a symbol to be set, a differential arrangement including a first driving, rotatable gear, a first rotatable means which meshes with said first driving, rotatable gear a symbol carrying means cooperating with said rotatable means, and carrying symbols thereon, a second driving rotatable gear fastened to said first gear and being of a diameter different from that of said first gear, a second rotatable means which meshes with said second driving rotatAble gear, blocking parts provided on said second rotatable means being of a number at least as large as a number of symbols on the symbol carrying means and, wherein during a cycle of operation the two gears rotate on the circumferences of the two rotatable means and, whereby when a receiving means in an order is not activated to prevent the first rotatable means from being rotated, the second gear carries the second rotatable means to rotate in one direction until the actuating means is activated whereby the second rotatable means is blocked against further rotation by the blocking parts so that the first gear causes the first rotatable means to rotate in the opposite direction and causes said means to set the symbol carrying means to a position corresponding to the pre-determined number of pulses.
 2. A device according to claim 1 in that: the first and the second rotatable means of the differential arrangement are arranged for independent rotation in relation to each other on a common shaft.
 3. A device according to claim 1 in that: the gears are rotatably supported on an opaque part including a number of light-permeable parts, such as holes, and said opaque part being rotatable supported on a shaft and receiving a revoluting movement around the shaft when the gears roll on the circumferences of the rotatable means.
 4. A device according to claim 1 in that: the circumferences of the rotatable means are provided with teeth and that the gears permanently mesh with and roll on said teeth.
 5. A device according to claim 3 in that: the opaque part is arranged for compulsory movement by a motor-driven shaft.
 6. A device according to claim 1 in that: the second rotatable means via its blocking parts and via preventing means which cooperates with these is arranged to be blocked against further movement when the actuating means is activated.
 7. A device according to claim 5 in that: means which cooperate with a motor-driven shaft once during each machine cycle and essentially at the same time are arranged to restore every preventing means to a position where they prevent the first rotatable means from being moved.
 8. A device according to claim 1 in that: the actuating means comprises a solenoid. 